![M.L.K. Fire Anchorage](https://wildfiretoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MLKfire.jpg)
(Originally published at 3:53 p.m. July 3, 2019 ADT)
Two 20-person crews and additional firefighters from the Alaska Division of Forestry are working Wednesday to contain the 25-acre M.L.K. Fire in East Anchorage, Alaska.
The fire which was reported at 4:28 p.m. on Tuesday, spread quickly in or near the Bureau of Land Management’s Campbell Tract but Wednesday afternoon it is holding at 25 acres. On Tuesday three air tankers and a helicopter dropped water and retardant helping to slow the spread of the fire. Smokejumpers worked into the early morning hours Wednesday looking for hotspots. Firefighters also placed a hose line around the fire to provide a water supply to extinguish any hot spots found.
![M.L.K. Fire Anchorage](https://wildfiretoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MLKfire-2.jpg)
Tuesday afternoon the Baker River Interagency Hotshot Crew from Washington responded to the fire from the Swan Lake Fire on the Kenai Peninsula and the Gannett Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew was pulled from a fire near Lake Louise to assist with containment. A task force of four engines was also brought up from the Swan Lake Fire. A total of 66 personnel are assigned to the fire.
Today the two crews and the firefighters from the Mat-Su Area forestry office are focused on creating a chain saw line – cutting a swath through the vegetation around the perimeter of the fire to keep it from expanding. Fire managers expect to complete containment this evening.
![M.L.K. Fire Anchorage](https://wildfiretoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MLKfire-3.jpg)
(Most of the text above is courtesy of the BLM/AFS)
There were no reports of injuries or burned structures. Soon after it started a few dozen people, including part of a mobile home park, were ordered to evacuate, but that was cancelled by 7 p.m.
The video below posted by the Alaska Division of Forestry, shows impressive flames that firefighters reported to be 60-feet long.
The blaze burned primarily in Black Spruce but slowed considerably as it moved into hardwoods.
![M.L.K. Fire Anchorage](https://wildfiretoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MLKfire_4.jpg)
The article was revised to correctly indicate that the Baker River Hotshots’ home base is in Washington.
Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Steven. Typos or errors, report them HERE.